Valve for use in dewatering system

ABSTRACT

A dewatering system has a vacuum source with a collecting header and a series of wellpoints connected to the header by swing couplings. The wellpoints may be selectively operated through the use of valves interposed between the swing couplings and the header. The valves include selectively alignable openings with outwardly visible indicia correlated to the positions of the openings.

United States Patent [191 Thompson et a1.

[ Nov.o,1973

[ VALVE FOR USE IN DEWATERING SYSTEM [76] Inventors: William F. Thompsont George M. Thompson, both of PO. Box 336,

Port Orange, Fla. 32019 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 21 Appl. 1%.; 205,149

52 U.S.Cl 137/606,137/6l6.7, 251/145,

251/352 51 1m.c|. F16] 29/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..137/ 6l6.7-,6l5, 606;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,319,927 5/1967 Thompson. 251/145 2,134,966 11/1938 Boscow l37/616.7 X 1,530,050 3/1925 Johnson 137/615 2,783,771 3/1951 Thomas 251/352 Primary Examiner-Alan Cohan Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow 57 ABSTRACT A dewatering system has a vacuum source with a collecting header and a series of wellpoints connected to the header by swing couplings. The wellpoints may be selectively operated through the use of valves interposed between the swing couplings and the header. The valves include selectively alignable openings with outwardly visible indicia correlated to the positions of the openings.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 VALVE FOR USE IN DEWATERING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved valve finding particular utility in the extraction of subterranean water in the construction, agricultural and related areas.

2. Statement of the Prior Art Prior patents in the valve field which disclose the general concept of operation by application of torsional forces include the following US. Pat. Nos. 110,087, Stillson Dec. 13, 1870; 1,427,716, Bluhm Aug. 29, 1922; 2,626,820, Dons et al. Jan. 27, 1953; 2,709,566, Davis May 31, 1955; 3,542,334, Scaramucci Nov. 24, 1970.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends a dewatering system wherein an elongated header is extended from a portable pump or similar vacuum source. Vertical wellpoints or water gathering tubes are connected with the header at spaced locations by swing couplings. Each swing coupling has an associated valve in accordance with this invention, the valve including a rotatable member and a fixed member. Both of the last named members are provided with indicia which, when suitably aligned, show the condition of the valve, either open or closed or an'intermediate position. By this construction, the system can be operated at maximum efficiency by closing off those wellpoints which are not withdrawing liquid, thereby retaining maximum vacuum for pumping. 4

The present invention provides a valve which is manually operable without special tools or equipment, resulting in savings of manpower, time and expense. The valve may when desired be readily incorporated in existing systems.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONOF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a foreshortene'd plan view of a section of header incorporated in a dewatering system and having valve means constructed and assembled in accordance with the teachings of this invention; I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view partially in section along lines 2-2 of FIG. I, showing said valve;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in more detail, a header pipe of elongated, tubular form is therein shown. The header 10 is connected at a remote location to a vacuum source such as a portable pump or the like, and includes further a discharge end (not shown). The header is formed with a series of openings 12 which are upwardly oriented when the system is in operation. Each such opening is provided with a valve 14 of this invention which in turn is connected to a pipe end 16 of a swing coupling 18 leading to a wellpoint 20.

The valves 14 each comprise a valve base body portion 22 formed of plastic, metal or other suitable material and having a projecting reduced and 24 which seats in the header opening 12. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 3, the configuration of the end 24 is such that the header diameter is uninterrupted thereby, and the base body portion 22 forms a shoulder at 26 which engages conformably against the header outwardly of the opening. Suitable welds 28 are thereat applied to fixedly secure the body 22 in place on the header.

The valve base body portion includes an upright wall 30 having inner and outer wall sides 32, 34 respectively. The inner wall defines an interior valve chamher, and an annular recess 36 is formed therein for a purpose appearing below. Further included as a component of the base body portion is a base wall 33 which is similarly curved on its lower surface to correspond to the contour of the header. The wall 38 has an opening 40 therein of semi circular plan form to permit, under desired circumstances, fluid flow from the header through the valve. It will be observed in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the outer wall side 34 has lugs 42 and 44 projecting outwardly at diametrically opposite sides thereof which correspond to the diameter or long side of the opening 40. The lug 44 bears the indicia open while the lug 42 is marked shut.

A second important component of the valve 14 is a rotatable lock coupling 46 which has an elongated, tubular vertically oriented sleeve 48 extending into the interior chamber and bearing against the inner wall side 32. A resilient seal 50, seated in the recess 36 bears 1 against the sleeve to prevent leakage thereabout.

The sleeve has a lower closure wall 32 with an end 33 and having an orifice 34 therein which is substantially the same in sizeand shape as the opening 40 and which is alignable therewith. Preferably, a resilient sealing cover 36 formed of rubber or soft plastic is applied to the lower sideof the closure wall.

The lock coupling further comprises a projecting enlarged handle 33 which has an interior recess at 60 with a resilient compression ring 62 therein. It is to be noted in the drawing that the pipe 16 of the swing coupling extends into the sleeve 48 and is sealed against fluid leakage by the ring 62. The handle 33 includes an enlarged indicator 64 diametrically aligned with the end 33 of the wall 32. An additional protuberance 66 is located diametrically opposite the indicator 64 and a perpendicular diameter of the lock coupling is delinated by protuberances'68, 70. The protuberances serve as aids in turning the coupling and to mark intermediate valve positions if desired.

Rotation of the lock coupling to a position resulting in alignment of the indicator 64 with the lug 44 serves to co-align the openings 40 and orifice 34, while positioning of the indicator. 64 in substantially centered position over the lug 42 places the components in the relative positions illustrated in FIG. 3, thereby closing the valve to fluid passage. As will occur to those skilled in the art, the valve may be conveniently positioned at intermediate positions if controlled restriction of flow is desired.

We claim:

l. The combination with a dewatering system which includes a vacuum source, an elongated tubular header operatively associated with said vacuum source to maintain fluid flow in said header, a series of swing couplings each having a wellpoint, the header having a series of openings therein, of valves between the swing couplings and the header, each valve comprising:

a valve base body portion including a lower projecting end seated in a header opening;

the base body portion including an upright wall with inner and outer wall sides defining an interior chamber;

a base wall for said base body portion extending across said interior chamber, the base wall having an opening therein;

a rotatable lock coupling including a sleeve extending into said chamber and freely slidable therein, the sleeve bearing against the inner wall side, said swing coupling each including a pipe freely slidable and rotatable within said sleeve, said sleeve including a closure wall having an orifice therein alignable in one position with the opening in said base wall, and movable to a position over said base wall to obstruct fluid passage therethrough, said closure wall having a resilient cover in sealing contact with said base wall;

the lock coupling including a projecting handle secured to a swing coupling of said system;

the valve base body portion having a pair of outwardly facing, diametrically opposite indicator lugs thereon; and

the projecting handle of the lock coupling including a visible indicator selectively alignable with said indicator lugs to provide indicia of the alignment of said opening and orifice.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the base body portion has an annular recess formed therein opening on said inner wall side; and

a substantially circular, resilient seal seated in said recess to bear against the sleeve.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the projecting handle has an annular recess therein opening inwardly; and

a substantially circular compression ring seated in the recess to bear against the swing coupling.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the closure wall has a resilient sealing cover thereon.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the orifice in the closure wall and the opening in said base wall are of substantially the same size and configuration. 

1. The combination with a dewatering system which includes a vacuum source, an elongated tubular header operatively associated with said vacuum source to maintain fluid flow in said header, a series of swing couplings each having a wellpoint, the header having a series of openings therein, of valves between the swing couplings and the header, each valve comprising: a valve base body portion including a lower projecting end seated in a header opening; the base body portion including an upright wall with inner and outer wall sides defining an interior chamber; a base wall for said base body portion extending across said interior chamber, the base wall havinG an opening therein; a rotatable lock coupling including a sleeve extending into said chamber and freely slidable therein, the sleeve bearing against the inner wall side, said swing coupling each including a pipe freely slidable and rotatable within said sleeve, said sleeve including a closure wall having an orifice therein alignable in one position with the opening in said base wall, and movable to a position over said base wall to obstruct fluid passage therethrough, said closure wall having a resilient cover in sealing contact with said base wall; the lock coupling including a projecting handle secured to a swing coupling of said system; the valve base body portion having a pair of outwardly facing, diametrically opposite indicator lugs thereon; and the projecting handle of the lock coupling including a visible indicator selectively alignable with said indicator lugs to provide indicia of the alignment of said opening and orifice.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the base body portion has an annular recess formed therein opening on said inner wall side; and a substantially circular, resilient seal seated in said recess to bear against the sleeve.
 3. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the projecting handle has an annular recess therein opening inwardly; and a substantially circular compression ring seated in the recess to bear against the swing coupling.
 4. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the closure wall has a resilient sealing cover thereon.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein: the orifice in the closure wall and the opening in said base wall are of substantially the same size and configuration. 